F1 Season Finally Over - Maybe
After the wacky 2007 F1 season one can’t be too sure it will ever end, but with the FIA International Court of Appeal rejecting McLaren’s appeal lodged after the then presumed “season-ending” Brazilian Grand Prix it can be safely said Kimi Raikkonen is the 2007 Formula One world champion.
So it ends… I guess, but I did note one oddity in the FIA’s finding that McLaren’s appeal was inadmissible. They claim there was “sufficient doubt as to both temperature of fuel on board the” cars of Williams and BMW-Sauber and “also as to the true ambient temperature.”
Odd isn’t it. In the most technologically advanced racing series in the world and they couldn’t tell what the outside temperature was in Brazil?
Would it be in bad taste to suggest the race stewards and members of the FIA International Court of Appeals each be given a Hamilton Khaki Multi-Touch II that includes not only a thermometer but a barometer as well? (Note to Santa, it’s marked down for the holiday season)
Meanwhile, a lawyer representing Ferrari at the appeal in London said McLaren are “shameless hypocrites devoid of any integrity.” Gee, I wonder what gave him that idea? Is it any wonder why Eddie Jordan said he is “glad to be out of formula one?”
IN OTHER NEWS YOU CAN LOSE: Singapore, selected as The Chosen One to hold F1’s first night-time race next September 28th, has signed SingTel as the events title sponsor. Singapore’s inaugural GP will be known officially as the “2008 formula one SingTel Singapore grand prix.”
Oh what a SHOCKER! (“Your winnings, sir.” - the Croupier)
It appears as though Bernie Ecclestone is dealing from the bottom of the deck again. Early reports had the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on track to bring the first ever F1 event to the Indian sub-continent. Reportedly the IOA had a provisional deal to promote the race, and even hosted Hermann Tilke who earmarked acceptable circuit sites near Delhi.
Ecclestone yesterday announced that JP Associates, not the IOA, has been contracted to build a circuit and host the race. Shades of Valencia, Spain.
There’s more deck chair rearranging at F1 Toyota. Ho-Hum.
Also, the Contract Recognition Board has ruled in Toyota’s favor and is free to sign Timo Glock.
And finally, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa is a bit miffed that he actually has to drive. He’s discovered his right foot has magically been directly connected to the powerplant with no intervening traction control electronics. Poor boy, life’s a bitch when you actually have to earn your multi-million dollar paychecks.
McLaren, Ferrari, F1, Formula One, Sports, Bernie Ecclestone, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
McLaren were bunch of dickheads for appealing in the first place. There was never “sufficient doubt” the Hamilton used an extra set of tyres in Brazilain qualifying. For that transgression he was let off, despite it being clearly illegal & delivering a performance gain.
My whole gripe with this appeal & the chance that Hamilton could be made WC is this.McLaren lost their constructors points because they were found to have cheated. However, their drivers were allowed to keep their championship points won in cars deemed illegal.
Now McLaren wants BMW & Williams to be declared as having been illegal, and their cars AND drivers stripped of their points.McLaren are hypocritical DEADS##t’s. A pox on the house of Dennis!!
I have got to lay off these grumpy pills over Xmas.
Peter, you’re mixing apples and oranges. McLaren’s problems were with their cars and alleged Ferrari data. BMW and Williams’ problems were with with race day fuel, not the same. And Hamilton’s rain tire advantage was meaningless as it didn’t rain during the race, did it? And if it had do you doubt for a second Ferrari would not have protested if Hamilton won the race or the title? Ferrari complaining about hypocrisy? Give me an ‘effin break!
I/we have many reasons to detest Ron, but not this issue. Consider:
1. Ron didn’t ask for anything that the regulations do not require. Illegal fuel means both car and driver points disqualifications, it’s in the rules.
2. Ambient air temperatures are posted by the FIA, regardless of actual air temps it’s what the teams need to adhere to. There was NO confusion over the facts.
3. Immediately after the race McLaren questioned the temperature decision and The FIA delegate (Whiting, Baur, not sure) assured the team that their appeal privlidge would be secured.
Screw Ferrari, and if Kimi lost the title in this manner it would serve him right for joining the Bastardos from Maranello. And the pain it would bring to the Toad and Luca the Lip would be priceless!
And the stupidity of the 2007 season won’t be over until Renault are stripped of all their manufacturer’s points and whacked a nice 125 million dollar fine. The best ppart is that Ron and Flavi will be neighbors in the paddock all year long. If Flav isn’t fired and Renault don’t dump the series and/or Flav.
For some reason my comment came up as “anonymous” this time. You need to know who to fire back at Peter; it’s only fair. Like Ferrari “winning” the constructor’s title this year. By the by, has anyone figured out if Ferrari would have won the constructor’s title if McLaren weren’t DQ’d?
“You need to know who to fire back at Peter; it